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Australian National Flag day

Australian National Flag Day is an opportunity for individuals, community organisations, local authorities, businesses and schools to celebrate with pride the anniversary of the Australian National Flag.

Australian National Flag Day, proclaimed in 1996 as a national day, celebrates the first time the flag was flown on 3 September 1901. On that day Prime Minister Edmund Barton announced the winners of a competition to design a flag for Australia. A large flag, 5.5 metres by 11 metres, was flown over the dome of the Exhibition Building in Melbourne. At that time the flag was known as the Commonwealth blue ensign; later, the flag became known as the Australian National Flag.

All Australians are encouraged to fly or display the Australian National Flag to celebrate Australian National Flag Day on 3 September each year.

Here are some ideas to help you celebrate Australian National Flag Day:

Conduct a flag-raising ceremony.

Business and organisations which don’t have a flagpole may wish to display the Australian National Flag in the public areas of their buildings, such as foyers.

Read about the history of the Australian National Flag and the protocols for flying the flag.

Australian National Flag Day in 2001 marked 100 years since the flag was first raised. A re-enactment ceremony was held at the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne. The then Prime Minister was presented with the Centenary Flag at this event.